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Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health NewsletterDoctor’s Senior Exercise & Health NewsletterAugust 1, 2004 Issue Vol. 4 No. 8
In This Newsletter Introduction*** The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it. This newsletter is scanned for viruses and is virus-free before it is sent to recipients!Website: http://www.doctorsexercise.com How to subscribe: Click Newsletter on left menu at website for more info and to subscribe or browse directly to: http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/dsenews E-Mail address: newsletter@doctorsexercise.com Healthfully Yours*** The Benefits Of Gardening…Webster’s’ Dictionary describes a garden as, “A piece of ground set apart for the cultivation of flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc.; a place specially delightful or fertile; cultivate as a garden”. Gardening is the act of planting and caring for flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. Gardening is a wonderful way to get outdoors, especially during the spring and summer months. Gardening is for all ages and can be a very important pastime and hobby. The benefits of gardening, as well as the joys can be many. These benefits will relate directly to the state of the individuals, physical and mental health. For those who do not engage in some sort of exercise program, gardening can have enormous health benefits. The act of gardening will keep your muscles and joints moving, and as this is a form of exercise will help the body stay flexible and vigorous throughout the senior years. Gardening is also a great way to reduce stress. It can be a wonderful way to leave the daily stresses behind, even for a few short hours. Imagine the joy and feeling of accomplishment, just by putting a tiny pellet (seed) into the ground and watching as it sprouts into a beautiful plant that will then flower into a magnificent rose or other flower. As a little boy, I can remember helping my Father with his garden. Along a fence were the most magnificent roses that were almost the size of my head. There were geraniums, pansies, sunflowers and many more. And set aside there was a plot of ground for vegetables only. There were tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and cabbage. These are the ones that stand out in my memory. The tomatoes were outstanding and I can still taste them. I have not had a tomato that can compete with them in any way. For those of you who are not fortunate enough to have a plot of land to set aside as garden, you can become a mini gardener even in an apartment dwelling. Window boxes are miniature gardens, and you can setup a small area for small planters. Herbs such as Basil, Dill, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Cilantro, and Chives, just to name a few, can be grown in-doors. They even come in kits that can be purchased on the Internet. Of course you won’t have the amount of physical exercise that is derived from outdoor gardening, however, the wonder of seeing these plants grow will give you enormous pleasure. The body will manufacture those needed endorphins and you will feel better. Not only that, but you can have fresh herbs to use in cooking, and that is another great health benefit. There are dos and don’ts in gardening as in all things. We will cover some of these things in the Health Hints below. Health Hints***
Following the above safety tips and precautions is the code every gardener should embrace. The gardener then needs to research what is to be planted. There are plants that can be dangerous to adults, children and pets. Some individuals like to brew the leaves of plants and drink it as a tea. Be sure to research the plant to be certain it is not poisonous or toxic in any way. These are some of the flowering varieties that you need to keep children and pets from eating the leaves. Be sure to INSTRUCT CHILDREN of their dangers.
Other Varieties are:
Should any of the leaves of these plants be eaten accidentally, be sure to seek medical advice immediately. If there is no doctor available, go to the nearest hospital, and be sure to take the plant or a sample of the leaves with you.
As a further precaution, always
have the telephone number of the POISON CONTROL CENTER near at
hand for emergencies. They can be reached at: If a leaf is eaten…DO NOT TRY TO INDUCE VOMITING, even if you have Ipecac (Ipecac is used to induce vomiting). Speak with your doctor or Poison Control Center first. Using the above suggestions and cautions, will make your gardening experience, joyful and very rewarding. Doc Cane Copyright, Disclaimer, and Trademark information Copyrightã 1997-2003 Emanuel M. Cane. All rights reserved. Except stated below, this material or parts thereof may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed by any means whatsoever without explicit, written permission from the author. ************* You may circulate copies of the Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Newsletter by Manually forwarding it, providing you forward the issue in it’s entirety, no fee is involved, and you may forward no more than three issues to any one individual. You may not attach advertising or otherwise modify the text of the newsletter. |
